Pentax and Phase One both launch firmware updates to offer electronic shutter during live view

When live view first appeared in DSLRs, it was seen as a bit of a useless gimmick. No doubt, in those early cameras, it wasn’t always that useful. It was ok if you just wanted to line up a shot that was difficult to see through the viewfinder. Laying low to the ground, for example. But beyond that, it wasn’t very practical. Now that video has come more to the forefront of camera technology, people are finding live view more and more essential.

One feature missing from some cameras, though, is the ability to quickly grab shots while liveview is active. Thankfully, electronic shutters during live view mode are starting to become more common. It’s still lacking in a few bodies, though. Now, both Pentax and Phase One have added an electronic live view shutter to their K1 and XF IQ3 cameras, respectively with a new firmware update.

The advantage of an electronic shutter with live view is an obvious one. With my old Nikon D300s and D7000 bodies, for example, if I’m in live view and hit the shutter, live view turns off, the shutter closes, the mirror flips down, it takes the shot as normal, then the mirror flips back up and the shutter reopens putting me back into live view mode.

It’s not exactly the speediest of shooting workflows. Unless you’re shooting something like a landscape or other static scene, this delay can often mean you miss the shot. So, it’s a welcome addition for Pentax and Phase One users who like to use live view.

The Pentax K1 firmware offers a few other additions & fixes and is avaiable on the Pentax website.

Electronic Shutter option added

Square image format

2 frames bracketing (OFF, TYPE2) added

Stability fixes

The Phase One IQ3 firmware also adds a few other new features, and hardware compatibility options.

Electonic Shutter – a first for digital medium format

Bulb mode shutter

Front & rear curtain flash sync

Time-lapse

Focus stacking

You can find out about more of those chances and download the firmware from the Phase One website.

Do you use a camera in live view with an electronic shutter? How useful do you find it? Do you shoot live view on a camera that doesn’t offer an electronic shutter? Do you find it hinders your workflow? Or have you just abandoned live view completely in favour of the viewfinder? Let us know in the comments.

Clinton Lofthouse is a Photographer, Retoucher and Digital Artist based in the United Kingdom, who specialises in creative retouching and composites. Proud 80's baby, reader of graphic novels and movie geek!
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